Kids Toys for Christmas 2011:  10 Hottest Toys and Where to Find the Best Deals

Here are the top Christmas toys 2011 as recommended and selected by popular toy retailers and professional toy reviewers…yep, and even some picked by Santa himself!

All toys are sorted by age groups for your quick reference.  You’ll find the best Christmas toys for all age groups, from infants to teenagers, with quick and easy product links to reputable online retailers so you can find the best online price and deals.  And in many cases, free shipping for home delivery or store pickup is offered by most retailers listed on this page.

This could be the day you find that perfect Christmas toy or gift for that wonderful child in your life!

 Hot Christmas Toys 2011 For Toddlers & Babies

1.Playskool Poppin’ Park Elefun Busy Ball Popper

Recommended Age: 9 mos. – 3 yrs.
Retail Price: $34.99
Overview: Pooppin’ Park Elefun has been selected as one of the Hot Christmas Toys 2011 by both Toy Insider and Toys R Us.  But more importantly, this toy has been receiving positive reviews by parents…while toddlers and babies are having fun!

Encourage your child’s coordination and motor skills with this interactive and musical toy by Playskool.  Popping colorful balls go up and out through the elephant’s trunk.

Your young one will delight in the sight and sound of each popping ball as she develops eye-hand coordination and learns cause and effect.  The Poppin’ Park Elefun also has ten fun tunes sure to get your child into a swingin’ and clapping mood!

Compare Prices Online*:
1.  Target.com – click here ($20.99)
2.  Walmart.com – click here ($24.88)
3.  Kmart.com – click here ($29.99)
4.  ToysRUs.com – click here ($20.99)
5.  Amazon.com – click here ($24.88)
*Prices listed above and availability are subject to change.  Be sure to check all stores as temporary sales do occur.

2. Fisher-Price Little People Zoo Talkers Animal Sounds Zoo

Recommended Age: 18 months – 5 yrs.
Retail Price: $49.99
Overview:  This interactive toy allows your child to discover 4 animal habitats in a colorful setting.  Children can learn the sounds and names of each animal by placing each animal on the peg at the base to hear the names and noises each animal makes.

Lots of activities for your child to explore with their animal friends including the canopy swing, arctic slide, and peek-a-boo doors.  Playset includes Zookeeper Zack, gorilla, polar bear, and lion figures.

Compare Prices Online*:
1.  Amazon.com – click here ($34.88)
2.  Walmart.com – click here ($34.88)
3.  ToysRUs.com – click here ($39.99)
4.  Kmart.com – click here ($39.99)
*Prices listed above and availability are subject to change.  Be sure to check all stores as temporary sales do occur.

 ==>Click here for more top toys for infants/toddlers<==

Popular 2011 Christmas Toys: Age 3-5

3. LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet by LeapFrog
Recommended Age: 4 – 9 yrs.
Retail Price: $99.99
Overview: Looking for an educational tablet that is more kid-friendly than adult-size tablets? The LeapPad Explorer Tablet might do the trick.  While only 4 apps are included with purchase, the LeapPad tablet gives you access to more than 100 educational books, games, apps, and videos.

Skill levels adjust automatically to match your child’s pace and remembers progress from game to game and book to book. Designed just for kids, this durable tablet includes a built-in camera, video recorder, and child-sized stylus.

LeapPad’s Explorer Tablet has been selected as one of the popular 2011 Christmas toys by Toy Insider, Time to Play Mag, and Toys R Us.

Compare Prices Online*:
1.  Kmart.com – click here ($99.99)
2.  ToysRUs.com – click here ($99.99)
3.  Walmart.com – click here ($143.97 Value Bundle)
4.  Amazon.com – click here ($239.99)
*Prices listed above and availability are subject to change.  Be sure to check all stores as temporary sales do occur.

4. Let’s Rock Elmo by Sesame Street

Elmo can sing 6 rockin' songs and magically recognizes the instrument you give him to play.

Recommended Age: 18 months – 4 yrs.
Retail Price: $69.99
Overview: Once again, Elmo finds himself on the hottest Christmas toys list of top retailers and independent reviewers –and chances are, Let’s Rock Elmo is on the wish list of some music-lovin’ children too!

This year, Elmo will rock n’ roll with your child as he sings and plays the tambourine or drum set.  Kids can play along too!  Microphone, tambourine, and drum set included.

Compare Prices Online*:

1.  Amazon.com – click here ($63.50)
2.  Walmart.com – click here ($49.96)
3.  Kmart.com – click here ($54.99)
4.  Target.com – click here ($49.99)
5.  ToysRUs.com – click here *includes Bonus Guitar!* ($59.99)
*Prices listed above and availability are subject to change.  Be sure to check all stores as temporary sales do occur.

==> Click here for more top toys for 3-5 yr. olds <==

Must Have Christmas Toys: Age 5-8

5. Lalaloopsy Silly Hair Jewel Sparkles

Jewel Sparkles Lalaloopsy Doll and her cute Persian Cat

Recommended Age: 4 – 7 yrs.
Retail Price: from $27.99
Overview: Foster your child’s creativity with the Lalaloopsy Silly Hair dolls. Part of the much-loved Lalaloopsy doll collection, the Silly Hair doll versions have bendable plastic hair that your child can arrange into curls, fun twists, or straight hairdos.

Each Lalaloopsy Silly Hair Doll includes a pet with a tail that can be styled too! Each set also includes fun hair styling brush, 4 clips and 6 hair beads

Two Lalaloopsy dolls currently available with the bendable plastic hair are: Jewel Sparkles and Crumb Sugar. Each Lalaloopsy doll has their own personality based on the fabric used to make them.

Compare Prices Online*:
1.  Walmart.com – click here ($29.97)
2.  ToysRUs.com – click here ($39.99)
3.  Target.com – click here ($29.99)
4.  Kmart.com – click here ($34.99)
5.  Amazon.com – click here ($74.99)
*Prices listed above and availability are subject to change.  Be sure to check all stores as temporary sales do occur.

6.  Lazer Stunt Chaser Dragon Fire RC Car

Lazer Stunt Chaser by Thinkway Toys

Recommended Age: 4-8 years
Retail Price: $39.99
Overview:  The Lazer Stunt Chaser races to follow the infrared light projected from the remote control.  Watch the car chase after the light with agility and control.  Flipping over is not a problem since the Stunt Chaser is dual-sided.  If the car flips over, it keeps racing along.  Press the Turbo button for lightning speed racing.

Each set includes Stunt Chaser car with built in rechargeable battery, battery deck charger, wireless infrared R/C, stunt ramp, and instruction guide.

Compare Prices Online*:
1.  ToysRUs.com – click here ($34.99)
2.  Walmart.com – click here ($38.88)
3.  Target.com – click here ($39.99)
4.  Kmart.com – click here ($39.99)
5.  Amazon.com – click here ($62.99)
*Prices listed above and availability are subject to change.  Be sure to check all stores as temporary sales do occur.

==> Click here for more top toys for 5-8 yr. olds <==

Hot Toys for Christmas: 8-12 year olds

7.  Air Hogs Hyper Actives Pro R/C Vehicles
Recommended Age: 12 and up
Retail Price: $49.99
Overview:  The AirHogs Hyperactives is quickly becoming one of the hottest Christmas toys of 2011. This remote contorl vehicle may appear small for a racing car, but they pack a big punch in super cool features.

• Multi-band radio frequency allows for up to 10 cars racing at the same time without radio interference
• Hyperactives were designed with stabilizing features thanks to the self-righting roll bar, which will turn the car right-side up if it flips
• The sleek design allows for daredevil-type stunts, almost defying gravity
• Tires can be switched between foam and rubber, so any surface is fair game for a racing match—indoors or out
• Battery-powered controller charges your car without needing an outlet.  Controller requires 6 AA batteries.

8. Monster High Abbey Bominable Doll
Recommended Age: 6 and up
Retail Price: $19.99
Overview:  The popularity of the Monster High Doll series among children and collectors, has made the Monster High Dolls one of the hottest toys for Christmas 2011.  The Abbey Bominable Doll is no exception.

This season, Abbey Bominable is fast becoming a favorite with Monster High fans.  Young girls and collectors are thrilled about Abbey’s unique features and detailed design.

• 

  Abbey's adorable pet, Shivver, is always by her side.

  The glitter on her skin gives her a shimmery, snowy quality

• Her hair has an iridescence, unique from the other Monster High dolls
• Abbey’s snow boots underneath her leg warmers are surprisingly detailed
• Abbey has claws for hands and cute tusks instead of fangs!
• Her loyal companion is always by her side, a baby Wooly Mammoth named Shivver

Abbey Bominable is fully articulated to allow for lots of poses, which is great for kids during imaginative play.

The Abbey Monster High Doll includes her pet Wooly Mammoth, doll stand, brush, diary, and purse.

Compare Prices Online*:
1.  Amazon.com – click here ($50.49)
2.  Kmart.com – click here ($16.26)
3.  Target. com – click here ($18.99)
4.  ToysRUs.com – click here ($19.99)
*Prices listed above and availability are subject to change.  Be sure to check all stores as temporary sales do occur.

==> Click here for more top toys for 8-12 yr. olds <==

Cool Christmas Gifts for Teenagers

9. Just Dance 3
Recommended Age:  10 and up
Retail Price: 39.99
Overview: The creators of the popular Just Dance video games are on a mission to get everyone off the couch and dancing to the hottest hits of today and yesterday.

With over 40 new tracks, Just Dance 3 is perfect for any dancing ability.  Also includes the Just Sweat mode for a great cardio workout. New gameplay modes and upgraded modes from the previous Just Dance edition will have your teenager dancing and finding their groove.

Available for Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, and Xbox 360.

Compare Prices Online*:
1.  Amazon.com – click here ($34.99)
2.  Kmart.com – click here ($39.99)
3.  Walmart.com – click here ($36.96 – $39.99)
4.  Target. com – click here ($39.99)
5.  ToysRUs.com – click here ($39.99)
*Prices listed above and availability are subject to change.  Be sure to check all stores as temporary sales do occur.


10. Kindle Wi-Fi, 6″ E Ink Display
Retail Price:$79
Overview: While Amazon continues to release newer versions of their Kindle e-reader (most recently the Kindle Fire), the basic and most affordable model, the Kindle 6-inch, still has a lot of features that your teenage student will appreciate.

For one, the Kindle will result in a lighter backpack for your teenager, given that this Kindle can hold up to 1,400 books but weighs a mere 6 ounces. Parents will also appreciate the more than 2.5 million book classics that can be downloaded for free (out-of-copyright, pre-1923 books). Classic book titles like War & Peace or The Count of Monte Cristo, which commonly appear on students’ English Lit reading lists.

As many Kindle users can attest, the digital display is friendly on the eyes, thanks to the advanced E Ink Display, which prevents eye strain and allows for hours of reading time—indoors or outside.

Here are some other key features that students will appreciate:

• Built-in dictionary with instant look-up
• Search for a word or phrase across the web, wikipedia, or your entire Kindle library
• Add notes to different passages in a book; you can then edit, delete, or export your notes
• Bookmark and highlight or clip key passages for future use
• Share notes or meaningful passages with other students OR see what other readers (including authors, book reviewers, and professors) have shared about passages that interest you
• Check out a Kindle book (digital version) from your local public library’s website for access on your Kindle
• Over one million books available, including more than 800,000 books at $9.99 or less

Available Online (prices listed below and availability are subject to change):
1. Amazon.com – click here ($79)

Available in stores only, not online:
1. Toys R us ($79.99)
2. Best Buy ($79.99)

==> Click here for more great gifts for Teenagers <==